Poland
A country that rebuilt its ruined cities from photographs. Medieval squares and twentieth-century wounds stand side by side.
Icons
Restored old towns, and places kept for remembrance.
- One of Europe’s great medieval squaresKrakow Main SquareKrakow
The Cloth Hall stands in the middle and a trumpet sounds from the tower on the hour. It breaks off mid-phrase, following the legend exactly.
- The hill where the kings are buriedWawel Castle and CathedralKrakow
Castle and cathedral together on a rise above the Vistula. It is the symbolic ground of Polish history.
- A camp kept for remembranceAuschwitz-BirkenauOswiecim
The camp built by Nazi Germany, preserved as a memorial museum. Booking is required, and the visitor conduct guidance should be read before you go.
- An old town rebuilt from picturesWarsaw Old TownWarsaw
Almost entirely destroyed in the war and reconstructed from old paintings and photographs. The reconstruction itself is what earned World Heritage status.
- A chapel carved out of saltWieliczka Salt MineNear Krakow
Centuries of tunnelling with chapels cut from the salt itself. There are a great many stairs, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Rock peaks on the southern borderTatra MountainsZakopane
The highest range in Poland, shared with Slovakia. Skiing fills it in winter and ridge walking in summer.
World Heritage
Cities, mines, and places of memory.
- A former capital the war largely sparedHistoric Centre of KrakowKrakow
Barely bombed, so its medieval and Renaissance fabric survives intact. Square, Wawel and the Jewish quarter connect on foot.
- A case where the restoration is the heritageHistoric Centre of WarsawWarsaw
A rare listing given for bringing a destroyed city back as it was. Even the brick colours follow the old paintings.
- Salt mined for nearly a thousand yearsWieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt MinesLesser Poland
Galleries, underground lakes and salt sculpture listed together. The temperature underground holds steady, so it is cool even in August.
- A place humanity is asked to rememberAuschwitz-BirkenauOswiecim
Listed as a memorial, not an attraction. Rules apply to photography and to dress.
- Primeval forest still standing in EuropeBialowieza ForestEastern border
Lowland old-growth shared with Belarus, where bison live wild. The core zone may only be entered with a guide.
Where to go
Each city has a distinct character, and trains connect them.
- KrakowThe old capitalSouth
Old town and the Kazimierz Jewish quarter join up on foot. It is the base for day trips to Auschwitz and Wieliczka.
- WarsawThe capitalCentral
A rebuilt old town and glass towers in one city. The museums on Chopin and on the uprising are particularly well done.
- GdanskA Hanseatic portNorthern coast
Streets of narrow, tall merchant houses, and the history of the shipyard. The beach town of Sopot is right next door.
- WroclawA city of islands and bridgesSouthwest
River islands stitched together with bridges make it a good walking city. Small bronze dwarves are hidden all over it.
- ZakopaneMountain resortThe Tatras, south
Timber chalet architecture and trailheads in one place. Rooms fill fast in the winter season.
When to go
Four distinct seasons, with a cold winter.
- SpringApril to MayNationwide
The square terraces open again. Cold days are still mixed in.
- SummerJune to AugustNationwide
Festival season, and the Baltic beaches fill. Auschwitz and Wieliczka slots are hardest to book now.
- AutumnSeptember to OctoberNationwide
Colour in the mountains and forests, with prices dropping. Often named the easiest season to travel.
- WinterNovember to MarchNationwide
Weeks below freezing and frequent snow. Christmas markets and Tatra skiing belong here.
Before you go
In Schengen, but not on the euro.
- EntrySchengen short stay, visa-free for Korean passportsNationwide
Up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. The European travel authorisation scheme is being phased in, so check official guidance before you leave.
- MoneyZloty, not the euroNationwide
An EU member that kept its own currency. Cards are widely used and prices sit clearly below western Europe.
- TrainsFast services between the main citiesNationwide
Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk connect quickly, and advance fares are cheap. Rural areas are better served by bus.
- Visiting memorialsCheck the rules on dress and photographyOswiecim and elsewhere
The camps are treated closer to burial grounds than to attractions. Large bags are restricted and entry is by timed booking.
- LanguagePolish, English among younger peopleNationwide
English works in cities and tourist areas. A few local phrases help on rural buses and in markets.
- Emergency number112Nationwide
The pan-European number reaching police, ambulance and fire, with English available. Mountain rescue has its own number, so check it before a trek.
Opening hours, fares and schedules change from year to year and by season. Check the official guidance for each site and operator before you travel.